which portastudio?
- Thread starter iivanov88
- Start date
1- There have been many different Portastudios. If you think you can get by with only 4 tracks, some good machines to consider from the used market are the Tascam 424, 464, and 644. If you want something a little more portable, check out the Tascam 414.
Should you need 8 tracks, the best unit is the 688, although it's a little more complicated to use, so make sure you get a manual for it. The other option for 8 tracks on cassette in a Portastudio format is the Tascam 488.
2- You shouldn't need an external pre-amp, with a few exceptions:
a- You need phantom power for your mics, at which point it may be worth it to invest in a better pre-amp that provides phantom power as well.
b- You're using one of the Portastudios that only has 1/4" inputs, rather than XLR. However, with the correct adapter, an external pre-amp would not be needed.
The 424, 464, 644, and 688 all have XLR inputs.
-MD
Should you need 8 tracks, the best unit is the 688, although it's a little more complicated to use, so make sure you get a manual for it. The other option for 8 tracks on cassette in a Portastudio format is the Tascam 488.
2- You shouldn't need an external pre-amp, with a few exceptions:
a- You need phantom power for your mics, at which point it may be worth it to invest in a better pre-amp that provides phantom power as well.
b- You're using one of the Portastudios that only has 1/4" inputs, rather than XLR. However, with the correct adapter, an external pre-amp would not be needed.
The 424, 464, 644, and 688 all have XLR inputs.
-MD
Last edited:
jjones1700
Learning, always learning
I've got one and love it! Good luck and have fun with it!
is it more like a high pitched "hiss" than a low pitched hum? if its a hiss, then yes, tape hiss is normal and to be expected. try using the dbx noise reduction if that is a problem, or try hitting the tape harder to increase the signal to noise ratio.
did you get a manual with the recorder?
if its a hum, it could be something else. it could even bad wiring in your building.
did you get a manual with the recorder?
if its a hum, it could be something else. it could even bad wiring in your building.
yeah it's hum. if it was a hiss I wouldn't be inquiring since I know they hiss and I also love hiss. but it's really like a ground loop sounding hum. I had ground loop problems with my powered monitors too, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's a house electricity related thing. any chance of it being a problem with the actual machine?